‘My thoughts are with the people of Ukraine,’ vows conductor Anna Rakitina

Although she was born in Russia and studied conducting at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Anna Rakitina does not hesitate to speak out against her native country’s invasion of Ukraine. 

“It’s truly heartbreaking to think about what’s going on in both countries,” she said from New York. “I’m, of course, deeply concerned about the actions taken by the Russian government, which has resulted in the suffering of innocent people and death.”

Rakitina, who will guest-conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on March 24 and 26, has a Ukrainian father, and part of her extended family lives in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. Those relatives were still there on March 8 when the conductor spoke for this interview.   

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by this tragic event, and with the people of Ukraine,” Rakitina said. “But let’s try not to lose hope, and let’s focus on our jobs and keep performing music and stay strong, as they do.”